Page 11

Gabe

M ika’s words stick with me long after he’s gone inside, leaving me alone on the porch with the quiet hum of crickets. He’d laid himself bare tonight, shared a pain so deep it seemed to take something out of him just to say it aloud. My heart aches for him.

The way he described it—betrayed by someone he trusted, abandoned by his family, his pack—God, I can’t imagine living through something like that. And yet, I see the strength in him. He’s survived it, even if the scars are still there, hidden under the surface.

I tip my head back against the porch post, staring up at the stars. My grip tightens around the mug in my hands as I think about what Mika’s been through, what it says about the kind of man he is. He didn’t let their hatred break him.

And yet, I can’t help but feel the edges of guilt creeping in. Mika’s been exiled, torn away from his life, and here I am, living in relative peace, surrounded by people like Todd and Adam who accept me for who I am. Sure, my parents kicked me out when I came out, but at least I had my grandparents. Mika didn’t even have that much.

I wish I could take some of that pain away from him. Share the burden. But I don’t know how to fix this, don’t know if it’s even something I can fix.

I push to my feet, pacing the porch as my thoughts churn. I don’t want to pity Mika—that’s not what he needs, not from me. What he needs is someone who sees him, all of him, and still stands by his side. Someone who won’t flinch at his scars or his anger or the way he sometimes tries to hide behind that tough, unshakable exterior.

He’s more than his past. More than his pain. And damn it, I’m going to make sure he knows that.

And now we’re going back.

Leaning against the porch railing, I try to focus on the cool night air, hoping it’ll settle the firestorm inside me. I know I can’t fix what happened to Mika, can’t undo the years of pain and loneliness he’s endured, but the thought of stepping foot onto that land—onto the soil where they tried to break him—makes me want to scream with frustration.

They don’t deserve him.

I ball my hands into fists, knuckles whitening as I grip the railing. How could they do that to him? How could they look at someone like Mika—kind, brave, loyal to a fault—and decide he wasn’t enough?

My thoughts drift unbidden to my own past. Funny how pain echoes like that—one person’s story ringing a bell in someone else’s.

I lean against the porch railing, staring out into the darkness, as I remember the day my parents threw me out. I was sixteen, confused and scared, trying to explain something I barely understood myself. My mom’s face had gone pale, her lips thinning like she was holding back bile. My dad… Well, he hadn’t held anything back .

“You’re not my son.”

I’d always had a strained relationship with my folks and knew there was a good chance that they wouldn’t accept me for who I was. But even so, those words still cut, deeply.

But luckily for me, it wasn’t the end of my story.

When I showed up at my grandparents’ house with a hastily packed bag and tears streaming down my face, I was ready for more rejection. I was ready to sleep in the barn or under the stars if it meant staying away from my parents’ contempt.

Instead, Grandma opened the door, took one look at me, and pulled me into the kind of hug that feels like home. “Gabriel Staley, what’s got you lookin’ so torn up, sugar?” Her voice was as warm as the biscuits she used to make every Sunday morning.

I couldn’t answer her, not right away. I just sobbed into her shoulder while she rubbed my back and whispered soft reassurances. Grandpa came up behind her a minute later, his old flannel robe tied haphazardly over his pajamas.

“What’s goin’ on here, boy?” His tone was gruff, but his eyes were sharp, searching my face for answers.

I stammered out the truth, expecting the worst. “I… I told them I’m gay, Grandpa. Mom and Dad. And they—they threw me out.”

For a moment, the only sound was the cicadas buzzing in the summer night. Then Grandpa let out a low, rumbling sigh. “Well, hell. Guess we’re gonna have to get that room upstairs fixed up for you.”

Grandma smacked his arm lightly, though her smile told me she wasn’t upset. “Don’t you worry about a thing, sugar,” she said, guiding me inside. “You’re home now, and that’s all that matters.”

That was the first night I’d felt safe in months.

Over the years, they didn’t just give me a roof over my head—they gave me a foundation. Grandpa taught me how to fix the old tractor, but mo re importantly, he taught me that being strong didn’t mean shutting people out. Grandma showed me how to make her famous peach cobbler, and she reminded me every day that love is louder than hate.

They didn’t just accept me; they celebrated me. When I graduated high school, Grandma made a banner that read We’re Proud of You, Gabriel in big, bold letters and hung it across the front porch. Grandpa grumbled about how the neighbors would talk, but even he got misty-eyed when I walked across that stage.

The porch creaks under my weight as I shift, dragging myself back to the present. I’m not sure who I’d be if it weren’t for them. Probably someone a lot angrier, a lot lonelier.

Mika’s voice drifts out from the kitchen, low and warm, and I smile despite the ache in my chest.

It’s not lost on me that our stories could’ve ended the same way. Mika’s pack turned their backs on him, just like my parents did to me. But the difference is, I had someone to turn to. He didn’t.

That’s why I’ll never take this for granted—him, us. I want to be for Mika what my grandparents were for me—a safe place, a reminder that love can survive even the hardest of trials.

When I step back inside, Mika looks up from where he’s sitting. His smile is small but steady, and it wraps around my heart like one of Grandma’s hugs.

“You okay, babe?” he asks, his voice soft.

“Yeah,” I say, crossing the room to pull him into my arms. “I am now.”

I plop myself down next to him on the sofa with a deep sigh. Mika slings his arm over the back and across my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.

I ’m not sure how long I’ve been staring at the firelight reflecting off Mika’s face, but I know it’s been long enough to make me feel like a lovesick idiot. His eyes flicker to mine, soft and warm in a way that makes my chest ache.

“What?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that wraps around me like a blanket.

I hesitate, rubbing the back of my neck. “I was just thinking about this…connection we seem to have. It’s not just normal chemistry, is it?”

Mika’s lips twitch, almost a smile. “Not by a long shot.”

“Well, yeah,” I mutter, feeling heat rise in my cheeks. “But I mean…when you talk to me without actually, you know, talkin’. Like earlier, I swore I heard your voice in my head. That’s not normal. Right?”

He tilts his head, studying me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve. “It’s not normal for humans. For mates, though? It’s…natural. A gift.”

“A gift?” I let out a breathy laugh.

“Shifter magic, maybe,” Mika says with a soft chuckle. “It’s something that happens when a mate bond deepens. The closer we are, the more in tune we become with each other. It starts small—impressions, emotions, fleeting thoughts. But eventually, it becomes like a direct line between us.”

I blink, letting that sink in. “So it’s not just you whispering sweet nothings in my head whenever you want?”

“No,” he says with mock seriousness, his eyes dancing. “It’s mutual. You’ve probably been sending me feelings or thoughts without realizing it.”

That gives me pause. And a bit of embarrassment, given the thoughts I’ve been having about him since he landed in my life. “I have?”

Mik a leans closer, his knee brushing against mine. “Yeah. Like earlier today, when you were worried about Iko. I felt it, the way your stomach twisted, the way your heart sped up. And I knew, without you saying a word, that you were thinking about how much you’d blame yourself if anything happened to him.”

We’d finally agreed on the name Iko—a compromise between Mika’s love of short, strong names and my preference for something a little quirky.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “That’s…weird.”

Mika shrugs. “It’s how mates work. We’re meant to understand each other, even when words don’t cut it.”

I glance away, my mind spinning. “So, this ‘gift’—it just…grows over time?”

He nods. “As we trust each other more, we let each other in. It’s a bond that strengthens with love, Gabriel. The stronger the bond, the clearer the connection. By the time we’re fully mated—”

“Whoa, whoa, wait.” I hold up a hand, though it’s more for myself than him. “Fully mated?”

Mika’s gaze holds mine, steady and unflinching. “It means when we’ve both accepted the bond completely. When we’re fully committed, body and soul. It’ll be seamless, like second nature.”

“Jesus,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “No pressure or anything.”

Mika laughs, the sound deep and rich, and I can’t help but smile. “Relax, mate. It’s not something we have to force. It’ll happen when it’s meant to.”

“Yeah, well,” I say, leaning back against the log behind me, “you might want to give me a little warning next time you plan on broadcasting your thoughts. Hearing you growl ‘mine’ in my head was not something I was prepared for.”

His grin turns feral. “Then maybe you should be prepared, Gabriel. Because that’s just the beginning. Wait ‘til I get started on the dirty talk.”

A shiver runs through me, equal parts anticipation and nerves. But as I look at him, all sharp lines and confidence, I feel something else, too—something warm and unshakable. Trust.

“Okay,” I say softly, more to myself than him. “Let’s see where this bond takes us then.”

Mika reaches out, his fingers brushing mine. The warmth of his touch is almost enough to drown out the whispered words that slip into my mind like a caress. “Together, Gabriel.”

I look up from the list of adoption applicants I printed out from Small Town Dog Rescue just in time to catch Mika on the floor with Iko. They’re playing with one of the stuffed toys Adam dropped off earlier this week, the puppy wagging his tail like it’s a full-body workout. The pup’s doing great, all things considered. Adam’s supposed to swing by soon to check on him, and I asked Todd to come, too.

Maybe a little nudge would work things out for those two, one way or another.

Mika picks Iko up, cradling him like the overgrown baby he is, and heads outside to the fenced backyard. I hear him murmuring softly to the pup, and it tugs at something deep in my chest. He’s really good with Iko. Better than good, honestly. Mika has this way of making everyone feel safe, like they belong, and seeing it in action only makes me fall harder for him.

When he comes back in, he leans down and nips the back of my neck, making me jump and curse as I rub the spot.

“ Did you find homes for Max, Moe, and Annie?” Mika asks, all innocent curiosity like he didn’t just try to bite me.

“Yeah, I did,” I answer, glaring at him. It doesn’t stick, not when he’s grinning at me like that. “We have to take M and M to Lubbock. Annie is going to El Paso. Normally, it’s about a nine-hour drive to El Paso, if everything runs smoothly. But, we’ll be tacking on some extra miles on the drive there since we have to detour through Lubbock.”

Mika nods, already tracking the logistics, but I’m not done. “While we’re that close to New Mexico, I figured we could drive up to Gila and get your stuff. It’s only another four or five hours.”

Mika’s expression flickers for a second—surprise, maybe amusement—but then his lips quirk into something knowing. “You want me to get my stuff, or do you want to bitch out Zane?”

Caught. Damn it. I shrug, trying for innocent, but Mika’s laughter ruins me. He grabs my arm and pulls me in for a kiss, soft at first but quickly turning into something deeper, something consuming. We stumble to the couch, still tangled together, his weight pressing me down as his hips grind into mine.

My hands slide down to grab his ass, pulling him closer, and I’m about to lose myself in him when—

“Ah… We can come back later, guys.”

Todd’s voice cuts through the sensual haze like a bucket of ice water. I groan, tilting my head back to see him standing in the doorway with Adam right behind him. Mika doesn’t move, not right away. Instead, he slows the kiss down, ending it with a soft brush of lips before resting his forehead against mine.

“You might want to open your eyes, babe,” his voice is low and teasing. “Both your buddies are here.”

Great. Just great.

I g roan, my face burning with embarrassment while my cock still throbs insistently. It’s hard to focus on anything but how mortifying this whole situation is. Mika’s mental voice, smug and teasing, bounces around in my head, but instead of freaking out like I used to, I shove at him. What’s the point of resisting anymore? I’ve already accepted everything else.

Still, there’s no getting around the fact that my ‘buddies’ are about to get an eyeful. Mika and I are both hard as hell, and there’s no way to hide it or wait it out.

Mika grins like he’s enjoying this far too much. He stands and pulls me into a sitting position, all casual confidence, while my cheeks feel like they might actually combust. I glance up and see Todd and Adam standing there, both trying—and failing—not to look completely embarrassed. Well, at least I’m not suffering alone.

“Sorry,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck. “Guess we didn’t hear you knock.” Understatement of the year.

Mika drops down beside me on the couch, looking utterly unbothered, which is just not fair. Meanwhile, Todd looks like he’s trying to find a black hole to crawl into, and Adam’s fighting a grin that’s slowly taking over his face.

Adam finally loses the battle and lets out a laugh. “No, you didn’t hear us knock. Or pound on the door. Or holler when we walked in. I think Todd had to repeat himself a couple of times before he finally, uh, got through.”

Todd nods, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.

“Great,” I mutter, shooting them both a glare. Then, for good measure, I reach over and pinch Mika on the belly. His startled yelp is so satisfying I can’t help but grin, especially when he looks at me like I’ve just committed the ultimate betrayal.

“ What was that for?” Mika demands, his tone so indignant that Adam bursts into laughter again. This time, it’s contagious, and soon Todd’s chuckling too, even as he sneaks another glance at the floor.

I give in, laughing along with them, the tension finally breaking. “Oh, come on, Mika,” I manage between breaths. “You were looking way too pleased with yourself while I was over here dying of embarrassment. I had to do something!”

Mika narrows his eyes but doesn’t look too angry. “I see, mate. Just remember—payback’s a bitch. And don’t think a peck on the cheek will get you out of it.”

His voice slides into my head, rich and teasing, and this time, I don’t push it away. In fact, I kind of like it. What I don’t like is that I can’t answer him back—or, better yet, get him back. We’re going to fix that as soon as Todd and Adam leave. Unless, of course, I get distracted.

The guys finally settle down, Todd taking the chair to the left and Adam the one to the right. Todd’s doing a terrible job of sneaking glances at Adam, who either hasn’t noticed or is pretending not to. Meanwhile, Adam’s grinning like he knows something we don’t, his gaze darting between me and Mika.

He leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees, and says, “You know, Gabe, Mika, you two seem…” He pauses, tilting his head thoughtfully. “You two just seem right. I don’t know how to explain it, but it gives hope to the rest of us. Or to me, anyways.”

Mika and I glance at each other, startled. I mean, it’s not like I don’t feel what Adam’s talking about, but hearing someone else say it so matter-of-factly is…a lot.

Adam leans back, looking oddly content, like he just dropped some profound truth and is now waiting for us to process it.

“Well, uh, thanks?” I say, my voice coming out more uncertain than I’d like. I glance at Todd, whose cheeks have gone pink again, but he doesn ’t meet my eyes. Instead, he’s looking at Adam with something that might be hope—or longing.

Mika gives my knee a reassuring squeeze, his touch grounding me as always. “I’d say you’re not wrong, Adam,” Mika says, his voice warm but firm. “Though I think maybe the rest of you could use a little push in the right direction.”

Adam raises an eyebrow, clearly catching the hint, while Todd shifts in his chair, looking like he’s ready to bolt.

I grin, leaning into Mika’s side. “Yeah, we’re happy to help if you need advice. You know, from people who are ‘right’.”

Mika laughs, low and deep, and I can’t help but join in. Todd groans, burying his face in his hands, and Adam just shakes his head, his own grin breaking through.

This might actually work.

“Thank you, Adam. Gabe and I are just that—just right together.” Mika’s voice is calm and certain, and the hand he rubs along my back only makes his words feel more solid.

I nod in agreement, flashing Adam a quick smile. “Yeah, we are. I think if you’re open to it, love can find you. And that, my friends, is my gay, poetic thought for the day. Can we stop talking about the emotional stuff now?”

Not that I mind it, really, but there’s an agenda here—getting Adam and Todd to leave so Mika and I can have some time to ourselves. First, though, we have to hash out the details about the dogs. I shove my impatience aside and focus on the conversation as Mika picks up the slack.

“—a couple of extra days, if that would be possible?” Mika’s voice catches my attention. He’s likely referring to the extension we need for our trip to New Mexico.

“ Not a problem for me, guys,” Todd says, leaning back in his chair. “I like coming out here and playing with the dogs.”

Adam nods in agreement. “Same here. Just let me know if anything comes up.”

With the arrangements sorted, we go over the care plans for the animals, making sure every detail is covered. Adam lingers to gather up Iko, but I stop him with a hand on his arm before he can leave.

“I just wanted to, uh, say thanks, Adam.” I hesitate, stumbling over the words. Damn, why does this kind of thing feel so awkward? “And to tell you that, uh… Goddamn it.”

Adam’s grin spreads wider, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I groan inwardly, but Mika jumps in smoothly to save me.

“I think what he’s trying to say, doc, is that we both enjoy your company. You’re welcome back anytime.” Mika’s eyes sparkle with humor, and I can’t help but marvel at how effortless he makes this kind of thing seem.

“Yeah, that. Exactly,” I add, feeling a bit sheepish. To cover it, I pinch Mika’s side, earning myself a smirk as Adam thanks us with a knowing look.

We follow Adam to the spare bedroom and say a quick goodbye to Iko. Watching the little guy’s tail wag as Adam carries him to his car, I can’t help but feel a pang of longing. The pup’s been good company, but it’s for the best. Iko needs proper care while we’re gone.

The door clicks shut behind Adam, and Todd sinks back into the chair, his shoulders slumping like the weight of the world is pressing on them. He glances at me, then quickly away, his jaw working like he’s trying to chew through his own thoughts.

I sit down across from him, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. “You okay, Todd?” I ask, careful not to sound pushy.

He shrugs, his hands gripping the armrests. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Lia r.

“Todd,” I say, my tone sharpening just enough to make him look at me. “I’ve known you too long for you to try that crap with me. What’s going on?”

He sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s nothing, Gabe. Just…stuff. You know.”

Stuff. That’s Todd-speak for everything I don’t want to talk about but can’t stop thinking about.

“Is it Adam?” I prod gently. His gaze snaps to mine, and the answer is written all over his face before he even opens his mouth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mutters, his cheeks flushing.

“Bullshit,” I say, leaning back and crossing my arms. “I’ve seen the way you look at him, Todd. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You’re both circling each other like nervous pups, but you’ve got to stop letting your past hold you back.”

Todd stiffens, his jaw clenched. “It’s not that simple.”

“Isn’t it?” I press. “You’re scared. I get it. Hell, I’ve been there. But you can’t let what your parents did to you keep you from having a life.”

Todd shakes his head, looking out over the yard instead of at me. “You don’t get it. You’ve always been braver than me. You stood up to your parents. I…” He trails off, his voice cracking.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I wasn’t brave, Todd. I was scared out of my mind when they kicked me out. But I had my grandparents to pick up the pieces. You didn’t have anyone, and yet you survived. That’s a hell of a lot braver than you give yourself credit for.”

Todd finally looks at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “You don’t know what it was like, Gabe. Every time I stepped out of line, even just a little, they’d beat the ‘sin’ out of me. I remember thinking if I coul d just be perfect, just be the son they wanted, maybe they’d love me enough to stop.”

I grit my teeth, rage boiling under the surface. I know Todd’s parents were awful, but hearing the words from him, the weight of his pain, makes it hit harder.

“You didn’t deserve that, Todd,” I say firmly. “None of it. You were a kid, just trying to survive. And you did. Hell, you’re one of the strongest people I know.”

Todd lets out a shaky breath. “I’m not strong. If I was, I wouldn’t be so scared of what people would say if they knew. I wouldn’t be so scared of Adam knowing.”

“He already knows, Todd. And he’s still here. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

Todd blinks at me, processing my words. “I’m not like you, Gabe. I can’t just…be out there. It feels like the whole world’s watching, waiting for me to screw up.”

I reach out, squeezing his shoulder. “It’s not about being like me, Todd. It’s about being you, the real you. Adam sees that. He sees past the walls you’ve built, and he still wants you. Don’t let your parents’ poison ruin what you could have.”

His laugh is bitter, harsh. “You think I can just forget all the shit they drilled into my head? That I can stop hearing their voices every time I think about…” He trails off, his eyes flicking away.

“About being happy?” I ask quietly.

Todd doesn’t answer, but the silence says enough. I lean forward again, my voice soft but firm. “Todd, I’m not saying it’s easy. But I’m saying it’s worth it. You deserve happiness. You deserve Adam. And he deserves you, too.”

He’s silent for a long moment, staring down at his hands. Finally, he nods, just barely. “I’ll think about it,” he says, his voice rough.

“ That’s all I’m asking,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Just don’t take too long. Adam’s a good guy, but he’s not going to wait forever.”

Todd gives a short laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, I guess not.”

Mika and I stand at the doorway, watching as Todd drives off. As soon as the car disappears down the road, Mika turns to me, his expression sharp and playful.

“I have one word for you, babe,” he says, his tone low and ominous, though his eyes betray his amusement.

I cross my arms, feigning nonchalance. “Oh yeah? And what word would that be?”

His lips curl into a wicked grin. “Run.”

I barely have time to register the word before Mika lunges at me. Laughing, I dodge his grab, bolting down the hall as his laughter echoes behind me. His footsteps pound against the floor as he chases me, and I’m grinning like an idiot by the time we tumble through the bedroom door.

We land in a heap on the bed, both of us breathless and laughing so hard it takes a moment to catch our breath. Mika’s weight presses me into the mattress, and as his laughter fades, his gaze locks onto mine. There’s something electric in his eyes—a mix of love, desire, and joy—that makes my heart race for reasons entirely unrelated to the chase.

“Gotcha,” he murmurs, leaning in to press a slow, lingering kiss to my lips.

“Yeah, you got me,” I whisper back, threading my fingers through his hair. And damn it, I hope he never lets me go.